All week long, the brightest minds in mixology have been running wild and free. But this weekend, Tales of the Cocktail will offer some spirited magic for the people of the Crescent City.Watch reportPaul Tuennerman, co-founder of Tales of the Cocktail, recounts: "Bourbon Street. A guy stops Ann, like, flags her down. Knocks on the window and says, 'I have got to tell you. Your week, the people that come to Tales of the Cocktail -- best tippers of the year."The 12th annual Tales of the Cocktail kicked off Monday. And for co-founders Ann and Paul Tuennerman, the mission remains true.“We're trying to preserve and promote the culinary cocktail culture of New Orleans," Tuennerman said.The five-day premier cocktail festival, geared towards hospitality professionals, focuses on the now, the new, and the next in bartending."So you bring 20,000 some-odd people in a year, you know, for five days. They have a tremendous experience. They get to explore New Orleans unlike anybody else,” Tuennerman said.But, we, the people of the home team, also get a special treat.Tales offers two unique experiences, which continue through the weekend, one being Restaurant Week."What it is, it's a prepriced menu, but each course is paired with a cocktail. So here is Criollo's menu. And it's basically ceviche, pompano and pork belly, and then for dessert a crème brûlée, each paired with a cocktail -- $30," said Tuennerman.And the other is Dynamic Duos, which features some of the world's most renowned bartenders.“Saturday is, unfortunately, the last day. But Three Muses, we'll be there. Our very own Kimberly Patton Bragg and Sean Kenyon, who works at Williams & Graham in Denver, will be behind the rail, manning the stick. And then at Bellocq, which is over on Lee Circle, we're going to have Hillary Choo, Amanda Victoria, and Camille Vidal," Tuennerman said.It all makes sense. And those cents add to the dollar."UNO does our economic impact study. Last year, our economic impact in the five days was over $14 million," Tuennerman said.Never underestimate the kiss of a cocktail.“You know, Ann and I say, 'It's our gift to the city.' And the city continues to give back to us by taking great care of the people that come and participate in our event," Tuennerman said.

NEW ORLEANS —

All week long, the brightest minds in mixology have been running wild and free. But this weekend, Tales of the Cocktail will offer some spirited magic for the people of the Crescent City.

Paul Tuennerman, co-founder of Tales of the Cocktail, recounts: "Bourbon Street. A guy stops Ann, like, flags her down. Knocks on the window and says, 'I have got to tell you. Your week, the people that come to Tales of the Cocktail -- best tippers of the year."

The 12th annual Tales of the Cocktail kicked off Monday. And for co-founders Ann and Paul Tuennerman, the mission remains true.

“We're trying to preserve and promote the culinary cocktail culture of New Orleans," Tuennerman said.

The five-day premier cocktail festival, geared towards hospitality professionals, focuses on the now, the new, and the next in bartending.

"So you bring 20,000 some-odd people in a year, you know, for five days. They have a tremendous experience. They get to explore New Orleans unlike anybody else,” Tuennerman said.

But, we, the people of the home team, also get a special treat.

Tales offers two unique experiences, which continue through the weekend, one being Restaurant Week.

"What it is, it's a prepriced menu, but each course is paired with a cocktail. So here is Criollo's menu. And it's basically ceviche, pompano and pork belly, and then for dessert a crème brûlée, each paired with a cocktail -- $30," said Tuennerman.

And the other is Dynamic Duos, which features some of the world's most renowned bartenders.

“Saturday is, unfortunately, the last day. But Three Muses, we'll be there. Our very own Kimberly Patton Bragg and Sean Kenyon, who works at Williams & Graham in Denver, will be behind the rail, manning the stick. And then at Bellocq, which is over on Lee Circle, we're going to have Hillary Choo, Amanda Victoria, and Camille Vidal," Tuennerman said.

It all makes sense. And those cents add to the dollar.

"UNO does our economic impact study. Last year, our economic impact in the five days was over $14 million," Tuennerman said.

Never underestimate the kiss of a cocktail.

“You know, Ann and I say, 'It's our gift to the city.' And the city continues to give back to us by taking great care of the people that come and participate in our event," Tuennerman said.